Trail Blazers vs Nuggets Picks and Predictions February 23
Nikola Jokic has only scored a combined 31 points in...
St. Louis (71-49) swept Pittsburgh at home to begin May, registering three straight one-run extra-inning victories, and opened with a road victory against the Pirates the following weekend. Pittsburgh (65-44) rebounded by winning that series and claimed five of the next six meetings to level the season series, even stealing the final three – the last two of which were also decided in extra innings – before the All-Star break. The Cardinals’ pitching staff saw their 38-inning scoreless streak come to an end in Sunday’s 5-4 loss at Milwaukee, which also snapped St. Louis’ four-game winning streak. The Pirates took advantage of the Cardinals’ rare setback, however, inching closer to their division rival after completing a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Midwest
WEATHER REPORT: Currently, the forecast is calling for a clear night in St. Louis with temperatures ranging in the 81 degrees Fahrenheit ballpark. At the time of writing, winds of 7 mph blowing in from left field were expected at game time.
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: “The Pirates offense has been inconsistent this season, but they definitely heated up this past weekend, scoring 5 runs or more in all four games while sweeping the L.A. Dodgers. Pittsburgh’s offense will now be put to the test in this brief two-game home series against the Cardinals. The St. Louis pitching staff has been great all season and they enter with three shutout wins in their past four games. This game should have a playoff atmosphere as the Pirates look to cut into the Cardinals’ five game lead in the N.L. Central division.” Covers Expert Steve Merril
WHAT ODDSMAKERS SAY: “This is a huge series for these teams and we’ll have no shortage of action on it, especially as bettors get back in gear ahead of football season. Pirates come in to this with a head full of steam but based on the pitching matchup. We opened the Cards as -160 chalk at home. I’m guessing that will close a bit higher as we’ll have clients starting to fade the Bucs until they lose. They haven’t been great on the road and we know St. Louis is dynamite at Busch.” John Lester of bookmaker.eu.
HOT FAN WAR:
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.31 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (11-4, 2.57)
TRENDS:
*Cardinals are 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter.
*Cardinals are 12-2 in Martinezs last 14 home starts.
*Over is 4-0 in Pirates last 4 overall.
*Pirates are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
COVERS CONSENSUS: N/A